Thomas

Also known as: Didymus, Thomas the Twin, Doubting Thomas

Apostle · The Twin

Thomas, also called Didymus ("the Twin" in Greek), appears in all four apostle lists but is best known from three dramatic scenes in the Gospel of John. When Jesus proposed returning to Judea where enemies sought to kill him, Thomas said to the other disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16) — revealing a courage often overlooked. At the Last Supper, Thomas asked: "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" prompting Jesus's response: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:5-6). Most famously, Thomas was absent when the risen Jesus first appeared to the disciples and declared he would not believe unless he could touch Jesus's wounds: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails...I will not believe" (John 20:25). Eight days later, Jesus appeared again and invited Thomas to touch his wounds. Thomas responded with one of the most profound confessions in Scripture: "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28).

Key Events

1"Let us go, that we may die with him"
2Asked how to know the way — prompted "I am the way"
3Doubted the resurrection until he saw Jesus
4"My Lord and my God" — profound confession of faith

What Scripture Says (12 verses)

Matthew 10:3

Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Matthew · Chapter 10

Mark 3:18

And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

Mark · Chapter 3

Luke 6:15

Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

Luke · Chapter 6

John 11:16

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

John · Chapter 11

John 14:5

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

John · Chapter 14

John 20:24

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

John · Chapter 20

John 20:26

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

John · Chapter 20

John 20:27

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

John · Chapter 20

John 20:28

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

John · Chapter 20

John 20:29

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John · Chapter 20

Showing 10 of 12 verses

Church Tradition

Death

Tradition: killed with a spear near Chennai, India

Location: India (tradition)

Source: Acts of Thomas (3rd century apocryphal); tradition preserved in the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of India

Later Tradition

The apocryphal Acts of Thomas (3rd century) describes Thomas's missionary journey to India. The tradition is preserved by the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Kerala, India, which traces its origins to Thomas's arrival in 52 AD. A shrine near Chennai marks the traditional site of his martyrdom. While the Acts of Thomas is legendary in many details, the existence of an ancient Christian community in India is historical fact.

Details

Verses: 12
Category: apostle

Appears In

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts

Key Verses

John 11:16

John 14:5-6

John 20:24-29

John 21:2

Acts 1:13